According to The Wall Street Journal, Washington and Jerusalem are discussing a temporary plan to divide Gaza into two separate areas: an Israeli-controlled zone, where reconstruction would begin soon, and a Hamas-controlled area, where rebuilding would be frozen until the group disarms.
The idea reportedly surfaced during recent talks between senior American and Israeli officials and aligns with the current ceasefire lines, which leave roughly 53% of the Gaza Strip under Israeli control.
US Vice President J.D. Vance and presidential adviser Jared Kushner addressed the plan during a press conference in Israel. Vance said that “Gaza currently has two arenas — one relatively safe and one very dangerous — and the goal is to expand the safe area.” Kushner added that reconstruction funds “will not flow to Hamas-held areas,” emphasizing that efforts will focus on developing a “new Gaza” under Israeli control, where Palestinians could “live, work, and prosper.”
According to the report, the yellow line on the current October ceasefire map defines a broad Israeli security zone that is expected to gradually shrink based on agreed milestones. Washington views the proposed division as a temporary measure to “buy time” until Hamas’s dismantling and the creation of an alternative governing authority capable of ensuring a secure environment for reconstruction investment.